Residents of the Suffolk County Village of Asharoken are a major step closer to having a real choice for their cable television service, thanks to a newly approved agreement authorizing Verizon to offer its FiOS TV service, delivered over the most advanced fiber-optic network straight to customers' homes.

The village granted a video franchise to Verizon May 4th, paving the way for video choice in this community. The Asharoken franchise agreement brings to 150 the total number of New York municipalities that have authorized Verizon to provide FiOS TV service.

In addition, Verizon's FiOS TV is now available in Westbury. That Nassau County village approved a franchise agreement for Verizon on March 19, and it was approved by the New York Public Service Commission on April 23. Verizon began sales and marketing activities there last week.

As with all local franchise approvals in New York, the agreement between Verizon and Asharoken is subject to review by the New York State Public Service Commission.

Asharoken and Westbury join a growing list of New York communities that are paving the way for competition and choice in the television market.